come through on their promise... have to pay a $6,000 fine and and fix our broken imgration system perform 200 hours of community service or 800 in dog years. tell cgress: the time is now. that's it for "the lead." fix america's broken immigration system. i'm jake tapper. right now turning you over to wolf blitzer, right next door in "the situation room." and better is so easy withrning you cabenefiber.o something better for yourself. mr. blitzer, take it away. >> thank you, jake. fiber that's taste-free, grit-free and dissolves completely. happening now, a congressman who dubbed himself a hip hop so you can feel free to add it to anything. conservative is guilty after a cocaine bust. and feel better about doing it. did he get off easy? better it with benefiber. you heard it here. the national security adviser to the president, susan rice, told me yesterday there's no need for the united states to apologize to afghanistan, but will the obama administration find some other way to say "sorry." and it's their first meeting since bill clinton's recent swipe at bobama care. so how much does the president need the former president? i'm wolf blitzer. you're in "the situation room." we'll get to that congressman sentencing here in washington after a cocaine bust in just a second or two.

but first, we've got some breaking news coming into "the situation room." these are live pictures from the orlando international airport, where a jetblue flight bound for boston has just made an emergency landing after an evacuation slide deployed in-flight. the plane landed safely. no injuries are reported. we're getting more information. as soon as we do, we'll share it with you, but that story just coming in, a jetblue flight from orlando to boston. back here in washington, a first-term congressman may have been lucky to avoid a jail term. republican trey radel of florida, today, pleaded guilty to cocaine possession and was given probation. the lawmaker who's called himself, and i'm quoting now, a hip hop conservative, that's what he calls himself, now says he's hit bottom. cnn's crime and justice correspondent, joe johns, is here in "the situation room" with the latest on a pretty shocking story. >> it is, wolf. it's a misdemeanor in this case. people in this country get hit with it all the time.

but for an elected official of the federal government, pleading guilty in a street level buy bust operation is just a huge public relations problem. it's one of the most saying nothing, the florida complicated relationships in congressman headed in to face washington, so all political his charges. eyes were on president obama and his guilty plea, weeks after former president bill clinton as they met today for the first trey radel was caught in a sting time since clinton's operation in late october. controversial remarks about the drug enforcement administration setting him up, obama care. our senior white house correspondent, brianna keilar, after learning about his illegal is joining us now. so what happened, brianna? activities from an arrested drug >> reporter: wolf, we were dealer. a law enforcement source said studying them very carefully. this is also the first time the two men have been seen together they met here at circa restaurant in dupont circle at since a campaign tell-all the heart of washington, d.c. revealed president obama saying radel told the men, he had drugs back at his apartment and he can only handle clinton a little bit at a time. invited them over. they declined. so a lot of people were watching but the undercover officer did say he had drugs to sell. their interactions to see if they agreed on a price, came out there was any sign of awkwardness. here on the street, and when the a man hug, a handshake, all coke changed hands, that's when smiles as president obama the federal agents approached presented president clinton with the nation's highest civilian the congressmen. the price radel paid for the honor, the medal of freedom. drugs, $260. after the charges were revealed, >> i'm grateful, bill, as well, radel tweeted, i'm profoundly for the advice and counsel that sorry to let down my family, you've offered me, on and off particularly my wife and son, the golf course. and the people of southwest >> reporter: that comment raised

florida. i struggle with a disease of eyebrows, coming on the heels of an obama snub revealed in the alcoholism and this led to an extremely irresponsible choice. dishy campaign memoir, "double down." after a round of golf with >> look, in my short time here, i love what i do. clinton in 2011, obama told an >> reporter: he's developed a aide, i like him in doses. reputation as a congressional it's also the first time the men tea party animal. have seen each other since talking points memo circulated pictures of radel drinking and clinton pushed the president, mired in the failed rollout of living large. he's been called a hip hop his healthcare program, to conservative, who according to confront his broken promise that the christian post website, once people who liked their health cited the lyrics of the rap insurance can keep it. >> i personally believe, even if it takes a change in the law, group public enemies song "fight the power" to explain how he feels about dealing with the president should honor the commitment the federal government made to those people. congress. the republican house leadership was careful, saying radel needs >> reporter: a source close to clinton tells cnn that he was to focus on his family and bet better. but he is sure to get hit hard just pushing obama in the direction he was already headed. from the other side. former aides to both men say melanie sloan of the that while obama is not best left-leaning citizens for friends with the former president, he and his former secretary of state, hillary responsibility skpand ethics in clinton, have a great and washington says he needs to go. >> trey radel needs to go right genuine affinity for one away. he committed a crime. members of congress swear to another. and bill clinton, with his eye uphold the laws, not break them. to 2016, wants very much for >> multiple sources said president obama to succeed. attorney general eric holder and his wife is the current other senior justice officials were kept in the loop in the case, as is standard procedure, front-runner in the democratic field. vice president joe biden, who

though the decision to set up the sting was made by greeted hillary clinton at the white house today, is a distant investigators. a senior law enforcement source second to her in the polls. said the decision to target neither will be able to win the white house unless president obama's approval ratings rise radel was a judgment call and not just based on his office. investigators wanted to know from the doldrums. and so the fates of president more about his relationships and his connections. >> you know, a lot of us remember a few years ago, there obama and the clintons are very was a republican congressman from western new york who much intertwined. and sources in both camps tell tweeted a picture, a self-y, if you will, of himself without a me, wolf, that that far shirt. there it is right there. surpasses any of these slights that both sides really consider former congressman chris lee. the speaker at that time, john to be very minor. in fact, one former aide going boehner, he had zero tolerance. as far as to say, and i'm he basically told this guy, quoting here, but i will also you're out of here. and he resigned in a nanosecond. and this time, they're showing a say, abbreviating, it's bs, lot more patience with this quite a dismissal. >> you're abbreviating well. other republican freshman congressman. >> i suppose it all has to do thanks very much for that. about the specific case. let's bring in gloria borger, in his example, there were john king, along with eleanor questions about whether there might be other things coming clift of the daily beast. down the road that could embarrass him or the congress. guys, thanks to all of you. these two people, bill clinton, but many people take your point, that i spoke to today, said members of congress have actually been thrown under the barack obama -- >> in one corner. >> how much do they need each bus for less than what has happened with trey radel. other? >> these are men of substantial >> we'll see what happens to ego. they would never say to you, oh, him. all right. i need him.

thanks very much, joe johns reporting. i really need him. it's not every day a congressman but in truth, they need each gets busted for cocaine. other, to a degree. let's dig a little bit deeper i think, look, bill clinton's right now with hln law enforcement analyst, mike wife going to run for president, brooks, who's joining us right would he like barack obama to be in his corner? now. you served, what, 26 years on yes. the d.c. police force, mike. will barack obama be in his what's going on here? corner if she's the nominee? yes. did this guy get off light? do they have a history? yes. are they politicians who can do is this usual -- business as usual? what do you make of this? >> well, wolf, he bought 3.5 what they need to do to get grams. on the street, they call that an things done? eight-ball, because it's an sure. so i think the bs is kind of -- eighth of an ounce of cocaine. >> you wrote a column ton daily beast suggesting that hillary so it's for personal use if he had bought more, he could have been charged with possession clinton's maybe presidential with intent to distribute, which fate depends on how barack obama would have been a felony, and does. >> right. probably would have got an a successful two-term barack harsher sentence. obama would give her a but with the court docket the substantial lift into the next presidential race. way it is in d.c. superior >> what about less -- court, wolf, a year's probation >> if it's less than successful, is, i would say the norm in she'll have to be accountable for it, as she'll be accountable for the clinton years and she'll have to define her own path washington, d.c. especially like for a first offense like this forward. she's got a complicated set of congressman has of simple possession of cocaine. circumstances, but i think obama >> if he weren't a congressman, needs clinton. he may need another one of those day didn't know he was a life rafts, just like the congressman, would he have been president provided at the busted to begin with in that democratic convention in '12.

sting operation? there's upcoming midterm >> absolutely. if you look at the court papers, elections. clinton knows how to campaign. it says this was part of an so barack obama needs both ongoing investigation on drug clintons, plenty. trafficking in the washington >> you and i, john, we've metropolitan area. and it was involving the dea, covered both of these. the fbi, and most likely bill clinton we covered, he's unique as far as a campaigner is metropolitan police, a drug task concerned. >> he's unique as a campaigner, force, if you will. but you know, they had gotten but that experience is vital. and the current president can word from his acquaintance, who draw on it. in 1994, the democrats got wound up probably being the crushed in that mid-term federal source, that there was a election. also remember, it's about health congressman, who had, on several care. bill clinton had to recover. occasions, wolf, bought cocaine he had impeachment, he had to in washington, d.c.. >> well, so how far -- is this recover. guy totally, you know, president clinton knows about how to come back from low extraordinary case right now? you know, a lot of us have seen ratings. >> hold on a second. our own chris cuomo on "new day" that series "house of cards." what's going on in washington as today, he had an extraordinary far as members of congress are news making interview with senator ted cruz, a rising star concerned, he blames -- this guy in the gop, a favorite of the blames his alcoholism for the tea party. they spoke about obama care and cocaine problem. what's going on here? >> well, wolf. if you look at time he has been here, he's a freshman chris had this exchange. let me play a little of that congressman, as you pointed out. so he's only been in washington interview because it's generating a lot of buzz. >> how can we say that it's not for ten months and that says to me as a former investigator, he had the right connections, if working when it isn't you will, for someone who wanted implemented yet? how can you say premiums are to buy drugs.

he was only there ten months. skyrocketing when they haven't he had the connections already. put the plans into effect yet? you being a little dangerous had bought cocaine on several with how much political spin you put on something that's so occasions in d.c., but, again, central to the well-being of so he had an acquaintance who most many families? >> well, i appreciate the likely was an informant for the adjective you tossed my way. dea or the fbi, and that's how you know, john adams famously he got busted. you know, wolf, how does a said, facts are stubborn things. here are some facts. about 100,000 people have signed congressman in washington, d.c. up and gotten new insurance think that he or she is not going to get busted for buying under obama care. drugs on the street? about 5 million people have lost people talk. their insurance off a obama care. those are facts and those are there's a lot of informants in washington, d.c., for a number real people that can't be spun of different cases. away. you know, when i go back to this was not too smart on his texas, i travel the state and i see people all the time who come up to me, men and women across texas, and they grab me by the part. >> obviously, and he's got a serious problem with the shoulder and they're afraid. alcoholism, as we all know as well. they say, ted, you know, i just thanks very much for that, mike lost my health insurance. brooks. we're just learning that i've got a child with diabetes. i need my health insurance. i'm scared. congresswoman grace mang of new please, stop this from york was robbed and hit in the happening. those are real facts. >> and what do you say to them, head right near capitol hill last night. there you see a picture of her senator. when they say, please help me, office. the new york democratic what is the fix that you offer congresswoman was robbed as she them? walked towards her apartment alo after having dinner. i looked at the list of bills the suspect took her handbag and you sponsored and there's not

one that offers a current fix to fled. she suffered a bruise on her chin. she underwent a cat scan at a the existing laws except get rid washington, d.c. hospital. she resumed her normal of it. activities today, her office >> that's the only one that will said, and she participated on work. votes on the floor. all of the band-aid fixes that we hope she's going to be okay. the president is pushing won't up next, we have new details on the stabbing of a lawmaker by fix the problems. his mentally ill son. they have great plans like, if did officials do enough to get you like your plan, you can really, really, really keep the son the care he so them. but if they were passed into desperately needed. law, it wouldn't fix the problem and you heard the national security adviser to president if for the 5 million people who obama, susan rice tell me here lost their health insurance, they wouldn't -- >> you don't think you have a responsibility as a u.s. senator in "the situation room," 24 hours ago, that the u.s. does to do better than that in terms not need to apologize to of offering a solution in terms of what to do next? afghanistan. is that the whole story? >> well, i, i -- i appreciate there are new developments happening right now. your trying to lecture me in the morning. >> no, no, no, none at all, senator. i'm worried, the same as you, anyone who looks at this situation that has worries -- >> sir, you're worried that you speak out for the 5 million people who have lost their i got this. health insurance -- >> absolutely, we've been [thinking] is it that time? the son picks up the check? covering it doggedly. the problem is, i don't have the power to fix it, you do. that's what a u.s. senator does, [thinking] i'm still working. he's retired.

is you sponsor a law. i hope he's saving. it's not a lecture, it's a concern. i'm asking, what are you doing i hope he saved enough. to do about it? >> well, and i share that who matters most to you says the most about you. concern and have every day been at massmutual we're owned by our policyowners, working to highlight the and they matter most to us. millions of people who have lost their job because of obama care. whether you're just starting your 401(k) the millions of people who have been forced into part-time work. or you are ready for retirement, there are single moms, there are we'll help you get there. young people, hispanics, african-americans. people who are struggling who are now on part-time work. you can't feed your kids with 29 hours a week. there's over 5 million people who have lost their health insurance, and the way to fix that is to stop this broken law. >> excellent interview, chris cuomo interviewing ted cruz on "new day" earlier today. gloria, you know, he had a moment there, because ted cruz was repeatedly asked, what are you going to do about it? i didn't hear him come up with a specific proposal other than get rid of obama care. >> that's true. we had ed gillespie, a republican strategist on the other day, made the same point about the republican party.

the republican party needs to have a solution. i mean, he said yesterday, and i agree, that they had some ♪ by the end of december, we'll be delivering ♪ piecemeal solutions, but it's ♪ through 12 blizzards blowing okay to run against obama care ♪ 8 front yards blinding in the midterm elections, but if ♪ 6 snowballs flying ♪ 5 packages addressed by toddlers ♪ ♪ that's a q you want to run for president, ♪ 4 lightning bolts and i think ted cruz wants to ♪ 3 creepy gnomes run for president, you have to ♪ 2 angry geese have a vision for what you would ♪ and a giant blow-up snowman do. it's not good enough just to be ♪ that kind of freaks me out [ beep ] against something, particularly when it's down, okay, that's [ female announcer ] no one delivers the holidays like the u.s. postal service. easy. fix it or come up with something better or do both! priority mail flat rate is more reliable than ever. >> you do need an alternative, and with improved tracking up to 11 scans, at least 40 million americans have no health insurance, and you can even watch us get it there. then if you get sick, you have ♪ to go to the emergency room. that's an awful way for the united states of america to be did you try restarting it? dealing with health insurance. no, not that. >> and senator cruz, i'm sure, is familiar with the numbers in i was thinking about getting a tablet as a gift... verizon has tablets. texas. they got a lot of them? it's one of the states that has the biggest slices of the accessing brain information... yes, they have a lot to choose from. unshudder. but at this moment, because the did you really just... and now you can get $100 off any tablet. thanks, wayne. president's health care plan is so unpopular, if you want to be save like never before on any tablet at verizon now. the opposition party, the safest place politically is to just beat it up and not get into the get $100 off any tablet. complicated and controversial plus trade in your old tablet for up to $150 or more. policy ideas about how you would replace it. but to be a governing party, that's powerful. verizon. can you move your beverage away from the keyboard? you'll have to do that.

governors have to do that and it's making me anxious. people who want to be governor sure thing. have to do that. if you're trying to score points ♪ hooking up the country whelping business run ♪ at the moment, senator cruz will ♪ build! we're investing big to keep our country in the lead. have to explain what he's going to do. >> it's the biggest weakness the ♪ load! we keep moving to deliver what you need. republicans have that they have and that means growth, lots of cargo no alternative. if they actually succeeded in going all around the globe. cars and parts, fuel and steel, peas and rice, hey that's nice! ♪ norfolk southern what's your function? ♪ repealing obama care, there ♪ helping this big country move ahead as one ♪ would be mass chaos. >> hundreds of thousands have ♪ norfolk southern how's that function? ♪ signed up and are getting medicare now -- >> and he uses the 5 million number, which may or may not be accurate. but the state exchanges are working pretty well. >> we'll leave it on that note, guys. thanks very much. eleanor, good to have you here in "the situation room." up next, claims of up to 200,000 people now dead in syria's civil war. a new fear it may be spreading.

♪ (train horn) vo: wherever our trains go, the economy comes to life. norfolk southern. one line, infinite possibilities. when ouwe got a subaru.s born, it's where she said her first word. (little girl) no! saw her first day of school. (little girl) bye bye! made a best friend forever. the back seat of my subaru is where she grew up. what? (announcer) the subaru forester. (girl) what? (announcer) motor trend's two thousand fourteen sport utility of the year. love. it's what makes a subaru, a subaru.

a well-known virginia lawmaker has been upgraded to good condition, a day after what police are investigating as an attempted to murder/suicide. i got this. they say creigh deeds' son [thinking] is it that time? the son picks up the check? apparently stabbed him more than ten times in the head and torso [thinking] i'm still working. he's retired. and killed himself hours after i hope he's saving. going emergency psychiatric evaluation. cnn's chris lawrence is in i hope he saved enough. charlottesville, virginia, for us. chris, we're learning more who matters most to you says the most about you. details about what happened between father and son. at massmutual we're owned by our policyowners, what's the latest? and they matter most to us. >> reporter: yeah, that's right, wolf. you mentioned some of it about whether you're just starting your 401(k) the ten times. and sources close to the or you are ready for retirement, investigation are also saying we'll help you get there. that that stabbing took place just outside of the family's home. and as creigh deeds sort of stumbled down that long driveway, out to the main road, bleeding. that's when his son went back into the home and that's where he shot himself.

we're also told that creigh deeds had been trying to help his son sort of get his life back on track by several family friends. that's one of the reasons that creigh deeds had his son moved back into the home, and it was only the two of them there when this incident happened. wolf? >> chris, why wasn't he checked into a hospital? there's a lot of confusion. supposedly, there weren't any beds available. now we're learning there were beds available. what's the latest? >> reporter: okay, he went to the hospital. we've now confirmed there was an emergency custody order issued on monday. that's sort of an emergency mental health evaluation. so he was taken to a local hospital. mental health professionals came there, did an evaluation on him, but that only lasts for four hours. within that time frame, they have to find sort of a semi-permanent bed in a hospital that's got in-patient facilities. a director, a state mental health professional told the richmond times dispatch that

they called multiple hospitals, all in a wide area of virginia, and could not find a bed during that time frame. now, we have talked to at least three hospitals who say they had a bed available that night and were never called. all of those hospitals are within an hour or two. so when coverage really counts, count on nationwide insurance. it does raise questions whether the family simply did not go because what's precious to you is precious to us. ♪ love, love is strange through with that or pursue it just another way we put members first. because we don't have shareholders. or whether actually -- there join the nation. ♪ baby... were actual beds available. so some confusion on that point, ♪ nationwide is on your side ♪ but he was evaluated, but all in all, the bottom line is, there was no semi-permanent bed where he could have stayed for up to two or three days. he was never taken to a facility like that, wolf. >> what a tragic story all around. chris lawrence in charlottesville, thank you. other news we're following, the president's national security adviser, susan rice, sent some shock waves less than 24 hours ago right here in t"th situation room" when i asked her about reports that the president

was ready to apologize to afghanistan to keep u.s. troops on the ground there for years to come. >> no, wolf. i've seen those reports. i have no idea where they come from. that is a complete misunderstanding of what the situation is. funerals were held today for >> well, what is this letter -- this letter that karzai wants victims of the twin suicide the president to give, in which bombings outside iran's embassy in beirut. we have new images of that he acknowledges that the u.s. erred in various ways in dealing horrific attack which killed nearly two dozen people with what's going on in yesterday, including an iranian afghanistan. a lot of people are interpreting diplomat. let's go to cnn's mohammed that as an apology. >> no such letter has been jamjoom, he's joining us from drafted or delivered. beirut with the latest. there is not a need for the united states to apologize to afghanistan. quite the contrary. we have sacrificed and supported them in their democratic progress and in tackling the m mohammed. >> reporter: security is tighter insurgency and al qaeda. than it had been. so, that is not on the table. residents very fearful that not just the spillover of violence >> let's bring in our foreign from syria's civil war will affairs reporter, elise labott. she's been doing someork on continue, but that sectarian this. what are you hearing behind the tensions here will only get worse. as a speeding motorcycle cuts scenes? there are now reports out there through an empty street, what that for all practical purposes, started out as a quiet day in that a deal has been struck and lebanon becomes a brutal

the u.s. is going to keep troops reminder of the war raging next door in syria. there for many years to come. the rider is thought to be a >> we're talking, wolf, about a suicide bomber. letter of assurances that afghan this security camera footage president karzai wants to take shows clearly how and when to this -- >> let's talk about that. residents in southern beirut a letter of assurances. were rattled by the sound of the that's of what? that the u.s. promises the first blast. curiosity gets the better of afghan people what? more spectators and a second far >> well, a couple of things. one of the main sticking points more powerful bomb explodes down of this agreement has been u.s. raids of afghan homes. the street. outside the iranian embassy, there have been civilian deaths in this. those who can, run. and what president karzai wants is some tough limits on whether building facades sheared off, the u.s. can go into a house, vehicles engulfed in flames, particularly if u.s. soldiers' killing 23 people, tuesday's lives are on the line. he also wants an acknowledgement attack marked a very serious of u.s. mistakes in the past. escalation. as you know, there have been a claiming responsibility is an al lot of civilian deaths. and when president karzai take qaeda-linked sunni military this agreement to the afghan group. little is known about them, but people, he wants the u.s. to these suicide bombings are a acknowledge these deaths and sign they decided to take the express some kind of regret. fight to lebanese shiite >> that sounds like an apology military group hezbollah and to me. >> it's a bit of semantics. their patron, iran. they say this wasn't their first attack and it won't be their last. but as tiny, fragile lebanon the u.s. has used this language gets drawn deeper into syria's in the past. seemingly unending conflict,

expressing regret for these deaths. this first attack against an general allen most recently for civilian deaths. iranian target here proves how here if you have a little this country has become an even semantics wit bigger proxy battlefield. semantics, the u.s. repeats this the lebanon sectarian lines language, president karzai can mirror those of syria say he's tough with the united complicated things from the states, everyone gets what they start, but now a startling want. >> but the president will be severely criticized if anything realization sets in. comes out looking like the rising sunni extremism in a united states is apologizing to country housing hezbollah shiite afghanistan after all the blood and treasure the u.s. committed army can only spell trouble. to trying to help the afghan people since 9/11. now, sectarian tensions were already at a fever pitch, even that will be pretty politically before hezbollah decided to outrageous here. >> well, it's not an apology for start supporting syria's military and fight alongside the u.s. actions in the war or them in syria. in fact, hezbollah's strongholds for the war itself, but it is a very narrow expression of in southern beirut were hit by regret. bombs in july and august of this you can call it an apology, for year. dozens were killed as a result of those attacks. deaths, civilian deaths, that there have been many in the but what happened yesterday, afghan war -- residents are telling me, that >> the other headline is that has them much more worried than the u.s. was supposedly going to be out of afghanistan by the end they have been before. of 2014, the end of next year. wolf? >> mohammed jamjoom reporting the president repeatedly made that commitment. from beirut. i'll play a couple of clips of thank you. joining us now, david miliban. what he said recently. >> when i say i'm going to bring

them home, you know they're going to come home. he's joining us from turkey, not >> this drawdown will continue and by the end of next year, our far from syria. david miliban, you were in beirut yesterday when those twin war in afghanistan will be over. bombings occurred. >> all right. well, maybe not so fast, because is this further evidence now that the civil war in syria is thousands of -- if this deal goes through and the afghans spilling over into lebanon? accept whatever letters of assurances the united states >> i think that this is proof provides, thousands of american that anyone who believed that troops will remain in this was a civil war contained afghanistan for many years to come at a cost to u.s. taxpayers within syria is wrong. that is now a regional crisis, of billions of dollars a year. not just of political and so the war, from the u.s. military dimensions, but also of perspective, is not ending. humanitarian dimensions. it's going to continue for a because countries like lebanon long time. >> well, we're talking about are creaking under the weight of now nearly a million refugees in 8,000 to 10,000 u.s. troops, lebanon, 600,000 in jordan, maybe a couple more thousand 800,000 in turkey, where i am. # so i think the stakes have nato troops. they'll be primarily in a train and assist and in an advisory been raised and the danger is of role, but there will be these a spiral of violence that gets special operations that will out of control. >> and i know you're trying to continue, these raids on homes deal with those refugees. and going after the taliban and you're also trying to deal with possibly al qaeda. those killed. the numbers keep going up. but, wolf, even after president in recent weeks, we haven't paid obama said those remarks, u.s. a whole lot of attention to officials behind the scenes were what's going on in syria, but

like wait a minute. there are some reports now that we still might need to have some the death toll is, what, troops there. the afghan troops, although approaching the 200,000. they've made a lot of gains over is that right? the last 12 years, not ready to >> i think that the official death toll is currently 125,000. handle it on their own. but everyone believes that's a they'll still be in the lead, conservative estimate. but i think the u.s. also, look, i think the point is this. president obama also knows that that in september, there was a he doesn't want to lose all the deal on chemical weapons, and the world's attention turned gains that the u.s. made by away from syria. but the truth is that the withdrawing all the troops. political and humanitarian crisis has got worse, not >> you know what, if 8,000 or better, since september, since the deal on chemical weapons. 10,000 american troops are there, including special and now we face the prospect of operations, commandos, and winter coming on, a further they're getting involved in going after the taliban or other rising of the humanitarian tide of refugees. terrorist groups, the war and even in the weekend that i continues for those 8,000 or was in lebanon, 10,000 more 10,000 men and women who are in harm's way, so the war will not refugees arrived. so there's huge pressure on be over for them by any means. organizations like the iarc, let me get back to that letter that the u.s. supposedly is that's getting vital aid into preparing if john kerry syria and trying to shore up the suggesting there will be a letter. neighbors, but there's a big we've heard susan rice say, diplomatic responsibility on countries in the west to raise there's not going to be a their game when it comes to letter. there's nothing like that on the humanitarian aid, and to finding table. some way out of this impasse in there's still confusion in my mind about whether or not there the syrian crisis. >> and there's now a report that will be a letter, there won't be there's been a polio outbreak

a letter, what will it include? inside syria. and if there's anything that seems to be an apology. >> susan rice was very narrow in is that right? >> there have been 12 cases of parsing her statement. polio diagnosed and the irc, the she said no such letter had been drafted and no apology would be international rescue committee, the organization i head, has a given. the u.s. is really parsing here. cold chain, which is the key way they are going to give some of getting vaccines into syria, expressions of regret. commonly used language, i think, but without a cease-fire, even that the u.s. has used in the of a tempering nature, it's past that they understand president karzai needs as a impossible to get our vaccines political cover when he's taking in. or at least use our chain to get the w.h.o., the world health this agreement to the people. organization's, vaccines in. i don't think it will apologize so polio, with i think, is one wholesale for the last 12 years, of those issues that people but it will be a very narrow thought had been gotten rid of across the middle east. expression that the u.s. is sorry that all of these civilian now with the return of polio here, i think it's a dramatic deaths have occurred and a pledge to make sure it doesn't happen again. >> and for years to come, illustration of what happens billions of dollars, maybe $4 when you see disillusion of a country like syria. the warring factions aren't billion a year to pay for the going to have a syria to fight upkeep of the afghan military. for at the end of this, and the american taxpayers will be on the line for that. this is going to cause a lot of consequences are being felt right throughout the region. uproar in congress. >> what's your message to the >> certainly among republicans on the hill. international community right now, especially to the united >> let's see what comes out states and president obama? see if the afghans accept whatever letter the united

states might be preparing. >> i think there are two very elise, thanks very much. important messages. elise labott, always good to the relatively straightforward have you here in "the situation message is that more needs to be room." coming up, president obama done to shore up countries like and former president bill america's key ally, jordan. clinton, they come face to face for the first time since the i mean, the refugee flow into former president chided obama care. we're going inside their complex jordan, which is about 600,000, relationship. that's the equivalent of the whole of poland arriving in america within a year or 18 i started part-time, now i'm a manager.n. months. that's the scale of the hit that my employer matches my charitable giving. really. countries like jordan are taking. they need big financial help. i get bonuses even working part-time. the tougher call, the tougher ask is to get a temporary cease-fire so the polio where i work, over 400 people are promoted every day. vaccination and medical aid and healthcare starting under $40 a month. i got education benefits. food can be got into syria. i work at walmart. the u.n. estimates there are i'm a pharmacist. 300,000 syrians cut off from aid sales associate. i manage produce. and 2 million are in what they i workn logistics. there's re to walmart than you think. call hard-to-reach areas. vo: opportunity. that's the real walmart. it's vital that we don't turn our diplomatic action away from that vital need to reach those poor people in the middle of syria at the moment cut off from more help. >> david miliband is the president and ceo of the international rescue committee, the former foreign secretary of the united kingdom. david, thanks very much.

>> thanks very much, wolf. good to be with you. up next, the girlfriend that george zimmerman is accused of assaulting is now speaking out. sfx: oil gushing out of pipe. sfx: birds chirping. there are signs both political bparties in washington get it: washington is lagging behind the country on this... ...this issue has been around far too long... and yet, we wait. reforming our immigration system would dramatically reduce our nation's debt... grow the economy by 5.4% ... and take bold steps to secure our borders. i started part-time, now i'm a manager.n. on this, both parties say they agree: my employer matches my charitable giving. really. democrats... we are very very strongly in favor i get bonuses even working part-time. where i work, over 400 people are promoted every day. of moving immigration reform... ormi oke imgratsy healthcare starting under $40 a month. and republicans...wantke i got education benefits. i work at walmart. i'm a pharmacist.

sales associate. i manage produce. i work in logistics. there's more to walmart than you think. vo: opportunity. that's the real walmart. and our giant idaho potato truck is still missing. so my dog and i we're going to go find it. it's out there somewhere spreading the good word about idaho potatoes and raising money for meals on wheels. but we'd really like our truck back, so if you see it, let us know, would you? thanks. what?

hihing, helicopters buzzing, and truck engine humming. sfx: birds chirping hihingsfirds crping helicopters buzzing, and truck engine humming. . tdd# 1

george zimmerman now free on bail and hiding. cnn's alina ma chaddo reports. >> reporter: depressed and suicidal is how george zimmerman's girlfriend allegedly described the 30-year-old to cnn affiliate wkmg in a series of text messages and phone calls over the course of several weeks during a negotiation for an interview, wkmg is reporting that she told them zimmerman quote spiralled into what she calls a very deep depression in the months after his acquittal, spending, quote, days in bed refusing to get up and refusing to take medication, but when cnn

made contact with her mother, she told us that those reports were, quote, lies, adding, quote, it's the media, all hearsay until she speaks publicly. that's what it is. on monday, she called police and accused zimmerman of threatening her with a gun and pushing her out of her home during an argument. police arrested zimmerman and monday night while he sat in a jail cell, she used the opportunity to serve him with divorce papers. the judge set the bond at $9,000 and told him to stay away from shibie and firearms and ordered a monitoring device and to stay in florida. >> i just saw the look of -- he seemed despondent. i just took it upon my own initiative, hey, why not doing something nice. >> a former neighborhood and longtime supporters said he paid until $1,000 to help zimmerman post bond. hours later, zimmerman walked

out of the correctional facilities with a bail bondsman. did you have any contact after you posted the bond? >> no. >> reporter: he didn't call you to thank you for it? >> no, i know he's very grateful. >> reporter: shiby and her mother have declined cnn's repeated requests for an interview. george zimmerman's location is still unknown. farce we know, he has not commented on the allegations published bywkmg. the depoftias t me a decision on whether it would be pursuing federal civil rights charges against george zimmerman in connection to the shooting death of trayvon martin, but officials have said a decision could come soon. wolf? >> alina, we'll wait for that decision together with you. coming up, the stabbing of a virginia lawmakers and the death of his son, could the entire ordeal have been avoided in we have new details coming up. also -- this ♪

>> it's bob dylan like you've never seen him before.

discover card. hey! so i'm looking at my bill, and my fico® credit score's on here. yeah, you've got our discover it card, so you get your fico® score on your monthly statements now, for free! that's nice of you! it's a great way to stay on top of your credit, and make sure things look the way they should. awesomesauce! huh! my twin sister always says that. wait...lisa? julie?! you sound really different on the phone. do i sound pleasant? for once in your life you sound very pleasant. at discover, we treat you like you'd treat you. free fico® credit score. get the it card at discover.com. customer erin swenson ordebut they didn't fit.line customer's not happy, i'm not happy. sales go down, i'm not happy. merch comes back, i'm not happy.

use ups. they make returns easy. unhappy customer becomes happy customer. then, repeat customer. easy returns, i'm happy. repeat customers, i'm happy. sales go up, i'm happy. i ordered another pair. i'm happy. (both) i'm happy. i'm happy. happy. happy. happy. happy. happy happy. i love logistics. a place where luxury and nature is so hand in hand. ♪ a place where by doing nothing you can get so much. how to explain a beach hidden by the earth? some things can't be explained, you have to experience them. vallarta-nayarit, live it to believe it.

bob dylan as you've never seen him before. here's cnn's jeanne moos. >> reporter: if only we could ask dylan himself to hear his classic. ♪ like a rolling stone turned into an interactive channel surf. ♪ now you don't talk too loud >> reporter: from selling dust busters on a fictitious shop-tv to a fake talk show. ♪ he's not selling alibis >> reporter: named the greatest song of all time finally has a music video. bob dylan's management contacted a digital technology company called interlude seeking its expertise mixing music with

interactive technology. >> we were both so excited walk working on such a legendary song and so frightened. >> reporter: it's scary messing with the work of an idol. ♪ to be on your own >> reporter: interlude's technology lets you watch the song on 16 different channels. some of the programming is real "the price is right" for instance with drew carey ♪ you used to be so amused >> reporter: but most of the programming is made up, like the cuisine channel, featuring an actress. ♪ once upon a time ♪ dressed so fine >> reporter: just changing from a reality show. ♪ like a complete unknown >> reporter: to news about a stabbing with the victim singing. stabbing victim also happens to be the director. >> i'm wearing the same sweater. >> reporter: music fans seem torn, some say it's genius, some say it's selling out.

interlude did the music video for free to demonstrate its technology, though the video was timed to coincide with the release of dylan's 47-cd box set. if you get sick of all that surfing, you can always do this -- just tune to the music classics channel, where you can listen to dylan belt it out the old-fashioned way. ♪ now you don't talk so loud p♪ like a complete unknown >> reporter: cnn, new york. ♪ like a rolling stone happening now, a member of it is united states congress says he's hit bottom after pleading guilty to a cocaine charge. now the pressure is building for him to resign form. plus new details. was enough done to try to get

the young man help? 50 years after we're tracking down the widow of his assassin. is she keeping secrets? i'm wolf blitzer, you're in "the situation room". a sitting member of the united states congress now stands convicted of a drug crime. it's believed to be the first time that's happened in three decades. trey radel is promising to get treatment after pleating guilty. we're taking a closer look at the plea deal, his political future. joe johns has been digging into the story. joe, what's going on? >> this is an up-and-coming congressman in the house majority, his guilty plea to cocaine possession got him a year of probation, though if he completes it, he won't even have a conviction. now radel says he's headed for rehab, all as a result of an encounter with an acquaintance

and undercover officer which set him up with just 3.5 grams of dough contain a few miles away from the capitol. a law enforcement source said they met at circa restaurant on dupont circle. court papers say he -- they declined, but the undercover officer did say he had cocaine for sale. they agreed on a price, went outside and federal agents approached the congressman. the leadership was careful, say radel needs to focus on his family and get better, but he's sure to get hid from the other side. sloan said the so-called hip-hop conservative needs to go. multimall sources say officials were kept in the loop in the case, as the standard procedure, the set upwas made by investigators. a senior law enforcement source was a judgment call and not just based on his office.

investigators wanted to know more about his relationships and his connections. >> what a story that is. we'll see how long he lasts if in fact he lasts. we also have new information from please about the stabbing of a virginia lawmakers, apparently by his own son. we're told it wasn't the first time authorities had been called to creigh deeds home. what are you learning about the attack and the attempts, desperate attempts, i'm told, to get some helps for deeds' son? >> reporter: new details tonight, including the fact that creigh deeds has been upgraded to good conditions, and new details about where exactly the stabbing happened, but we're also hear that this is raising even bigger questions about the mental health care that his son did not get. sources close to the investigation tell cnn that gus deeds stabbed his father more than ten times just outside

creigh deeds' home, as the state senator stumbled down the driveway bleeding, his son went back into the house and shot himself. the incident happened a day after the son was brought to a local hospital under an emergency custody order. police confirmed that gus was brought by the sheriff, and mental health professionals evaluated him there. a state mental health official told "the washington post" they called multiple hospitals in an effort to find an available bed, but failing to find an open spot within the mandatory four hours, they had to let him go. but three hospitals, including this one, all tell cnn they did have beds available, and no one called. all are within an hour or two of the deeds'. a further sign of a system that many say is failing the mentally ill. virginia has struggled to expand mental health care since a disturbed student killed 32 people at virginia tech in 2007.

>> the legislature funded in the next year $42 million of new services. by 2010 all that money was gone, had been eliminated in the recession. >> reporter: others say bed shortages are only an issue in rural areas like bath county. >> 87% of the cases you have to make more calls than two. >> law professor richard bonnie helped reform the state's mental health system. you think there auld to be alternatives? >> you don't need to wait until people meet the commitment criteria. you have something to offer that they will accept and that family members, you know, will feel satisfies their needs, that you can prevent crises from getting worse, and things unravels. >> reporter: in other words, well-funded voluntary programs. would that have helped in this case? we can't know. we can't be sure without hearing from the family themselves. what's clear is that he did not get help that may -- may have

prevented this tragedy, wolf. >> what a tragic story. chris, thank you. let's dig a little deeper. joining us a leading psychiatrist dr. gail sauce. this is heartbreaking. the day before he allegedly stabs his dad and then kills himself with a gun, he was in a hospital. obviously they wanted some treatment, apparently no beds in the hospital. is this an extraordinary situation or common with what's going on across the country? >> it's unusual, but it's not unheard of. in fact, it's not unheard of even in the state of virginia. there have been other cases where somebody was brought in, with an emergency custody order, really met criteria, and should have been brought into the hospital, but there were no beds available. and really what the community board does at that point is try to create another safe plan, meaning something set up with family that the person is being

watched, that there are safeguards in place, and of course the police can be called against if something goes downhill and again the person can be brought if on emergency custody order. we don't know what happened in this case, but i will say this -- funds have been drastically cut, particularly since 2008. in fact, virginia is not the only state. really across the united states, over $1.8 billion of funds cut to mental health programs. that includes funds that would go to inpatient services like hospitals and hospital beds, but also community outpatient service where, as the person in the taped spot said, someone could get help long before they get to this point. >> because, you know, in virginia, virginia tech, 2007, all those kids killed by someone who had a major mental health problem. you would think of all the states, virginia would have adequate treatment funding, beds for these kinds of patients out there. >> you would, and i think that they have tried to move in that

direction, but again, there still were cuts. so they still do not have enough funding, as is true really across the united states. let me also say the virginia tech situation really highlighted the issue of stigma. because it's not clear if that person, that individual or many people get the care that they need early enough, because stigma really keeps them from seeking the care. it's a complicated problem that -- or yourself, needs to go in early and get treatment, neither serious treatment, that combined with the fact that they're on which, particularly in rural areas, there aren't enough psychiatrists, not enough hospital beds, not enough community services, and not enough frankly dollars even for important thing as a country that we need to do right now?

>> i think we need to recognize that mental health care cannot be the stepchild of health care. you know, one of the biggest payouts for disability is depression. you know, this is a serious health issue that affects over 50% of americans, and we need to look -- like we look at other medical problems and therefore fund it like we fund other medical problems. there's more dallas for research, and more dollars for clinical care, so more treatment is available to more people. if this can happen to a senator olympics son, can you only imagine somebody who really doesn't have the wherewithal, what becomes of them? so we really need to look at mental health care in a very different light than the way we've been seeing it in the past. we also need to educate people and decrease the stigma so that people know the earlier warning signs to bring someone in for

care. that includes first responders, who are often the police are often the ones called by the family, and if they recognize the signs that they need to bring someone for emergency treatment, that would also be very important. >> gail saturdays, good advice. thanks for joining us. >> thank you. bill clinton honors one of his personal heroes. he met president kennedy as a teenager, and now marking the 50th anniversary. and the artistic side on late-night tv. the evolution from president to artist. ya know, with new fedex one rate you can fill that box and pay one flat rate. how naughty was he? oh boy... [ male announcer ] fedex one rate. simple, flat rate shipping with the reliability of fedex.

and our giant idaho potato truck is still missing. so my dog and i we're going to go find it. it's out there somewhere spreading the good word about idaho potatoes and raising money for meals on wheels. but we'd really like our truck back, so if you see it, let us know, would you? thanks. what? [ male announcer ] this december, experience the gift of true artistry and some of the best offers of the year

at the lexus december to remember sales event. this is the pursuit of perfection.

the obamas and clintonsing

to at the grave of john f. kennedy. clearly an inspiration to both democratic presidents. members of the kennedy family joined them at arlington national cemetery, including jack schlossberg. be sure, by the way, to watch a cnn special "the assassination of jfk" airing thursday night, 9:00 p.m. eastern, only on cnn. a half century after jfk's death there's renewed focus on his assassin, and persistent theories about a conspiracy. someone who might know some of the secrets has managed to dodge public scrutiny for decades. the widow. >> not ease to find maria oswald porter, as she is called now. over the decade, her opinion has changed drastically, but getting her to talk about it is

difficult. this is a woman who's now trying to be invisible, or at the very least unnoticed. a 72-year-old retiree outside a walmart in texas. walking past her, many of us wouldn't recognize the grandmother with the worried look is one of the last people still alive with a deeply personal family connection to that weekend? dallas 50 years ago. this is marina oswald porter, the russian-born widow of john f. kennedy's assassin, a woman who now simply wants to be level alone. >> after 50 years of being harassed, after having reporters shown up at your home, and everyone is 07b8 speaking about one subject and one subject only. >> reporter: filmmaker, kianne says she's become reclusive. she lives in ase behind ese trees outside dallas, signs indicating that visitors aren't welcome. she married kenneth porter two

years after kennedy's assassination and raised son she had with him, along with her two daughters with lee harvey oswald. >> i understand they have grown up to be quite outstanding citizens, holding good jobs. so i commend her and her children and her husband for what they have done. >> reporter: a friend says in recent years she turned down a network offer of $3 million for an interview, but decades ago, she did spe owl, revealing a change of heart about her husband to krld, just two months after the assassination. >> do you believe that your husband killed president kennedy? >> well, i don't want to believe, but i have too much facts, and facts tell me that lee shot kennedy. >> reporter: but later she came to believe that oswald was set up as she told nbc news in 1993. >> well, he definitely did not fire the shots, according to all

the evidence that i have right now. >> reporter: why the about-face? former dallas morning news reporter ainsworth has known her for decades. >> i guess manipulation might be a crude wait of putting it, but she certainly changed her mind because of the conspiracy theories that were given to her. >> reporter: we tried several times to reach marina oswald porter for an interview after going to her home and calling repeatedly we finally got an answer on the phone and realized what others met when her husband kenneth is polite but fear his protective. he told me, quote we're not talking to the media right now, but thank you, and hung up. >> her children have suffered the burdens as well. >> that's right. they don't speak to -- but years ago her daughter rachel said in her -- she didn't know who her father was until she was about 7 years old, her mother sat them down and told them.

and she said that explained why news teams had always followed them around, why their mailbox his shot ought and why they were eased. she borne an incredible burden, but according to people who know them, are leading amazingly normal lives and have done well. >> good for them. appreciate that report. just ahead president obama gives oprah winfrey an award first established by jfk. a who's who of names honored today. george bush shows off a new talent, getting some laughs as president obama's expense. >> when the president had that heart scare, how scary was that? >> it was scary, very scary. but -- >> i wasn't that scared. >> was it because you had obama care? ne humming.

sfx: birds chirping sfx: birds chirping so if ydead battery,t tire, need a tow or lock your keys in the car, geico's emergency roadside assistance is there 24/7. oh dear, i got a flat tire. hmmm. uh... yeah, can you find a take where it's a bit more dramatic on that last line, yeah? yeah i got it right here. someone help me!!! i have a flat tire!!! well it's good... good for me. what do you think? geico. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. kand i don't have time foris morunreliable companies.b angie's list definitely saves me time and money. for over 18 years we've helped people take care of the things that matter most. join today.

but i didn't want her towait see my psoriasis.

no matter how many ways i try to cover up, my psoriasis keeps showing up. all her focus is on me. but with these dry, cracked, red, flaky patches, i'm not sure if i want it to be. this is more than uncomfortable, it's unacceptable. visit psoriasis.com where you can get refusing to hide, a free guide filled with simple strategies for living well with psoriasis. learn more at psoriasis.com and talk to your dermatologist. sfx: oil gushing out of pipe. sfx: birds chirping.

i'm grateful for the advice and counsel that you have offered me on and off the golf course, and most importantly for your life-saving work around the world, which represents the very best in america. thank you so much, president clinton. president obama parening the medal of freedom at the white house today. he had 16 people to receive the award. others include the famed talk show host oprah winfrey, the country music star lo receipta lynn, astronaut sally ride who passed away, gloria stein many, ernie banks, and the former men's head basketball coach at the university of north carolina, dean smith, who was

unable to attend for health reasons. former president george w. bush is getting req any for the hobby he took up. >> da vinci, rembrandt, picasso, bush. >> i do take painting seriously. it's changed my life. >> reporter: the president presenting the latest can have a for jay leno. >> did you paint that? look at that. i can't make fun of him now. >> reporter: a marked difference from early period w., which trended towards, um, bathroom self-pour trades, which the world learned about through hacked e-mails to the president's sister dorothy. the critics raved that the paintings. >> border on the visionary, the absurd, the frat boy. >> okay. maybe rave wasn't exactly the right word, but everyone's a critic, including a fellow

former occupant. >> i seriously considered calling and asking you to do a portrayed of me, until i saw the results of neurosister's hacked e-mails. those bathroom sketches were wonderful, but at my age, i think i should keep my suit. >> reporter: let it never be said this man doesn't have a sense of humor. he wasn't the only one surprised to find out his predilection for painting trees. so was his brother, former florida governor jeb bush, when our jake tapper asked him about it in march. >> he's actually being a pretty good painter. i'll just admit this was a surprise to me when i found this out about a year ago, and he's doing it with a vengeance. >> reporter: why painting? why this late in life get in touch with his artistic side. he discussed it with our own john king. >> it's a rough interview. >> what do you get from it?

>> a lot of things. i get relaxed. i see colors differently. i am, i guess tapping a part of the brain that, you know certainly never used when i was -- and i get the satisfaction out of completing a project. and, i paint people 'pets. >> former first daughter barbara bush can attest to that. her swanky new york townhouse as seen in a recent "vogue quest spread double as a gallery with his cat period. >> wow, look at that. >> reporter: okay, you may or may not be eager to hang an original w. over your mantle. if you're not a fan, perhaps you're just too short-sighted to see the genius in his aura right now. >> it will take a while for history to judge whether the decisions i made are consequential or not, and therefore i'm not too worried about it. i read some biographies of

washington, my attitude is they're still writing biographies of the first guy, the 43rd guy doesn't need to worry about it. >> they are pretty good, i must say. please be sure to join us tomorrow in "the situation room." you culls always follow what's going on. tweet the show @cnnsitroom. thanks for watching. i'm wolf blitzer in washington. "crossfire" starts right now. tonight on "crossfire", the torch of inspiration passed across generations from president to president. >> i hope we carry away from this a remind er of what jfk understood to be the essence of the american spirit. >> who that is that spirit in and out?

on the right newt gingrich. in the "crossfire", u.s. senator ben cardin, a democrat from maryland and senator tim scott, a republican from south carolina. in today's washington, who whose example is inspiring? whose should be avoided? tonight on "crossfire." welcome to "crossfire." i'm van jones on the left. >> i'm newt gingrich on the right. in the crossfire tonight, two members of a vastly different u.s. senate compared to the one of the kennedy era. here in washington, a wonderful tribute to a martyred president, whose killing influenced an entire generation, but here's what strikes me. the notable thing about johns f. kennedy's washington is that it worked. the obama era washington doesn't. kennedy could talk with even barry goldwater. when he said we'll get to the moon in a decade, he didn't mean we'll settle for a rocket at cape canaveral.

while cautious, he unified the country, not divide it. it's too bad for president obama, honoring kennedy seems to be a symbolic moment, rather than a chance to learn from him, maybe to change something. >> i loved it right until the last sentence. well, look -- >> don't you think he should learn? >> i think he should and is learning. even jfk, he had his bay of pigs moment. i think the senators know better than to county him out. we have senator ben cardin and senator tim cot. welcome to both of you. now, listen, i am concerned, because i have been watching all this footage from the kennedy era. it seems